Wineries Are Becoming The New Weederies

For more than a decade, Barbara and Bill Steele have owned their winery, Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden in Jacksonville, Oregon. Recreational marijuana has been legal in their state since 2015, and as marijuana legalization continues to grow, the Steeles are adding another crop to their fields, marijuana. Last year, they grew 30 plants on their land, and now they’re growing double that to be branded with the same labels as their award-winning wine. Other winemakers are also experimenting with cannabis to appeal to younger consumers, as less baby boomers are drinking and more millennials are seeking “weed and wine” experiences. Many wineries are ripping out portions of their grapes in order to meet this demand for cannabis.